Finding a good movie often means I’m scrolling through streaming sites for hours, trying to land on the right pick. It’s always such a dopamine hit when I stumble on one quickly and actually end up loving it. That’s exactly what happened with "Have You Seen My Son?"
It’s not a big studio release that hit theaters, but instead a Lifetime movie that feels familiar (which I don’t mind, I’m a fan!). But it was so well done that it’s earned a spot on my queue for a future rewatch.
"Have You Seen My Son?" is directed by Jim Cliffe, who in recent years has leaned more toward lighter TV movies. His last thriller was nearly 15 years ago (2011’s "Donovan’s Crossing"), so it’s refreshing to see him return to a genre he clearly knows how to handle. "Have You Seen My Son?" is built around a deceptively simple premise: a woman trying to reconnect with her son after being released from prison, only to uncover dark secrets that someone is desperate to keep buried.
What is 'Have You Seen My Son' about?
The story begins with Catherine (Sarah Smyth) walking out of prison. Her parole officer, Miriam (Kate Twa), urges her to treat this as a chance at a fresh start. Easier said than done, especially since Catherine refuses to admit to the crime she was convicted of: the death of her son.
It’s no surprise her new housemates are uneasy about her arrival, given what they’ve heard about her past. But Catherine insists she’s innocent—and claims she doesn’t even remember what really happened that night.
At her halfway house, she’s greeted with wary kindness by Natasha (Alana Hawley Purvis), who runs the home. Another resident, Abbi (Catherine Lough Haggquist), is far warmer—reconnecting with Catherine as an old friend and former cellmate.
From the start, Catherine is determined to clear her name. During a nightly jog, she finds herself in her old neighborhood, outside the house now occupied by her ex-husband, his new wife, and their child. Despite her parole officer’s warnings to avoid anyone tied to her case, Catherine can’t help but push for answers. Her husband confronts her, telling her to move on, but she challenges his shaky alibi and lack of support during their marriage.
With Abbi’s help, Catherine begins searching for a key witness: a neighbor who claimed to have seen her harming her son. But the trail goes cold quickly. The woman is impossible to track down online, and her parents refuse to reveal where she is.
Every step forward seems to push Catherine further from the truth about her son. And slowly, it becomes clear that someone is actively trying to stop her from digging any deeper.
Why you should watch 'Have You Seen My Son?' on Hulu
Like most thrillers, the movie balances suspense with emotional stakes, but what makes it work is Sarah Smyth’s performance. She captures the vulnerability of a woman broken by loss yet stubbornly clinging to hope. To me, she’s the biggest reason to recommend this film, even to people who normally skip over TV thrillers.
On top of that, the mystery is genuinely compelling. The story keeps you guessing about who’s really behind Catherine’s troubles, and that whodunit factor really grabs you. The ending may stretch believability a bit, but it still surprised me — and that’s half the fun.
Watch "Have You Seen My Son?" on Hulu
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